THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

Dateline:  4 August 2009

A personal report and pictures by Stuart Williams

Just two days before this year's Bloxwich Carnival I was reading about the 1959 Pat Collins Centenary in the Walsall Observer newspaper of that year.  Just a couple of weeks after that event I found, rather surprisingly, a substantial illustrated report of the Saturday 6 June 1959 Bloxwich Carnival.  The big, bold italic headline was "THEY DEFIED THE RAIN" and the sub-heading was "SPIRITS HIGH AT BLOXWICH CARNIVAL".  This could not have been more prophetic for this year's carnival, fifty years later, as it turned out...

The 2009 Bloxwich Carnival, this year taking place on Saturday 1 August, had already gotten off to a shaky start:  despite all the hard work of the Carnival Committee, the traditional procession of floats and vehicles had, reluctantly, been cancelled some weeks before.  This was due to the high cost of organising road closures, problems with current health and safety regulations and a desperate dearth of volunteers to provide the necessary lorries for floats.  The 2009 event was to return to the modus operandi of the year 2000 when it had been revived, after a break of some years, for the Millennium:  decorative static tableaux instead of floats.  These were to be set up in small marquees alongside the rest of the traditional show in the King George V Playing Fields.

This meant that everything was now to take place in King George's.  There were some organisational advantages to this of course, but clearly without the ceremonies traditionally being held at the Bloxwich Fountain (itself currently being restored) or a procession to draw people from the centre of Bloxwich, everything was dependent on advertising, newspaper publicity, poster distribution and word of mouth.  The Bloxidge Tallygraph was, as usual, proud to play its part in helping publicise the event and a lot of interest was shown from people looking for carnival information on the website.  And there was enormous support for the event from the Bloxwich Carnival Committee and everyone taking part in the event as well as Walsall Council.  The annual OAP's Party had gone well with over 300 attending.  And the people of Bloxwich and district were really looking forward to the one day in the year when they could all get together and let their hair down, as it had been for generations before.  It was going to be a great day!

No-one had told the weather gods, of course...



After a week or two of off-and-on torrential rain, Saturday 1 August 2009 dawned damp and soggy, but the ground had had a couple of sunny days to dry out a little, and at 6am it was judged by Walsall Council's Parks Development Officer John Millard that the Carnival could safely go ahead.  By 7am the Council team had the arena set up and exhibitors were doing likewise with their numerous stalls and marquees.  The Pat Collins Fun Fair had dug in near the Bell Lane entrance as is traditional, and by the time I arrived about 9.15am things were beginning to stir in that quarter.  The event wasn't due to be opened until 12 noon so there was yet plenty of time.  The ground was squashy underfoot in places, but it could have been much worse.  At least it wasn't raining!

Having made my way through the fairground, I proceeded to check out what was on show in the main field.  James Dylan's Stuntworld had their vans and stunt bikes ready to show off later in the main arena; the South Staffs Dog Training and Display Team had their own enclosure and agility equipment set a little to one side.  A large marquee was already occupied as the Arts & Crafts Village, with the various groups and individuals who were to demonstrate some remarkable traditional skills to the public throughout the day.  A chap called Mark Withers from Wincanton had brought his tanker truck with him and had set up an excellent display promoting Trucks and Child Safety to young people.  Bloxwich Carnival Committee and their volunteers were beavering away at their small marquee and their day-glo yellow tabards were to be seen all across the field.  The groups organising the five tableaux were getting their acts together.  And dozens of charities and local organisations were either ready for the public or were getting there.  As I stopped by the Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix tent complex for a chat I noted the Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter fundraising 'simulator' arriving. The various food stalls and halls were already in place, and our old friend the Ice Cream Van Man (if you're reading this, do let me know your name!) had parked near the arena as usual in anticipation of a capacity crowd.  Well, we are all optimists in Bloxwich, aren't we?


On my way round the grounds checking the stalls and displays out, I was mugged by Andy Bradley and Sally Gamston from New Horizons Community Enterprise (formerly Walsall's New Deal) who were having fun setting up their coconut shy.  I made the fatal mistake of stopping by to chat and was roped in to help with the setting up.  As you can see from the picture below, I made good use of this setup later on when their friends arrived - they really are good sports at New Horizons!


The inflatable slides had not yet been set up when I got there, so I wandered back over to the Pat Collins Fun Fair to see what was happening, and by now the covers were coming off in readiness for a hopefully heaving throng to arrive later.  It never ceases to amaze me what's involved in setting up some of the simplest of fairground rides; and to have to drag such huge creations as the Ghost Train, Scream, Dodgems or Waltzer around the landscape must be an unbelievably tricky job!  I have every admiration for showmen, it's a remarkable life but a hard one.  And of course the Pat Collins name is so steeped in tradition, especially in Bloxwich which was the home and headquarters of the great Pat Collins Amusement Empire in the late 19th and early 20th century.  While a smaller affair, the 'new' Pat Collins fair, taken over by Anthony Harris in 1983 and built up again almost from scratch, is still a credit to the name, keeping the flag flying and maintaining the work ethic set by dear old Pat and his family so many years ago.  They have a lot to be proud of.


I wanted to have a word with Councillor Harris about various things before taking photos of the fair and the rest of the event, and I eventually managed to track him down.  We spoke as we walked down to the Bloxwich Carnival Committee marquee where his colleague Councillor Louise Harrison was helping to get things ready.  At this point another Bloxwich Councillor, Des Pitt, arrived and after a brief chat I followed Anthony Harris back to the fair where he kindly showed me his beautifully restored Scammell showman's tractor unit (truck) and I took a few photos of it and him - you'll find them on the Centre Spread.


The ground was never going to be dry, and everything was damp, but as I left Councillor Harris with a spring in my step to catch up with Carnival Committee Chairman Ken Worley, the guests, young Ambassadors and Carnival Royalty were already gathering at Benton's Sons of Rest in Bealey's Lane. I reflected that at least it still hadn't started raining, and that boded well for the day.  As I left King George's I bought a programme from the ever-helpful 196 Squadron ATC Air Cadets and Caroline Crolley of Blakenall & Bloxwich LNP.  I still have that programme, albeit somewhat water-damaged!


At the Sons of Rest, everyone soon gathered in the building.  Excited young Carnival Ambassadors representing their local primary schools, their parents, the 2009 Bloxwich Carnival Queen Sally Kirk, Princess Natalie Slaney and Rosebud Chloe Hunt were joined by 2008 Queen Samantha Footman.  Just before high noon various guests and dignitaries also arrived, including the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor John O'Hare, who was to open the carnival.  Ken Worley and his colleagues from the Carnival Committee soon had matters in hand, and at 12.30pm the various parties, brollies in hand due to a light drizzle, proceeded back into the field to arrive at the Bloxwich Carnival Committee marquee where they took their seats in front of the main arena just a few minutes later.


The drizzle had thankfully departed at this point, and at 12.34 Carnival Committee Chairman Ken Worley welcomed the people of Bloxwich to the carnival and introduced the Mayor, who proceeded to formally open the event shortly afterwards.  The next half hour or so saw the crowning of 2009 Bloxwich Carnival Queen Sally Kirk by the Mayor; Princess Natalie Slaney by Mr. David Winnick, MP for Walsall North, and Rosebud Chloe Hunt by Tom Perrett, MBE, Chairman of New Horizons Community Enterprise.  2008 Queen Samantha Footman assisted the ceremonies by handing over the crowns, and Rosebud Chloe Hunt presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Sanders. 


The young Carnival Ambassadors, chosen for their merits and their good behaviour by their local primary schools, were each presented with a commemorative medallion by one of the local guests and dignitaries who were there to honour them. 


The Bloxwich Carnival Ambassadors for 2009 are:

BOYS
GIRLS

• Ella Bird: Abbey Primary School.
• Lucy Brown: Blakenall Heath Junior School.
• Amber Jenkins: Christ Church C of E Primary School.
• Stephanie Banks: Edgar Stammers Primary School.
• Chloe Barlow: Elmore Green Primary School.
• Courtney Betts: Green Rock Primary School.
• Sadie Wilkes: Harden Primary School.
• Tenesha Perry-Johnson: Little Bloxwich C of E Primary School.
• Olivia Smith: Mossley Primary School.

and the guests who kindly presented their medals were:

• The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor John O'Hare.
• Mr. David Winnick, MP for Walsall North.
• Mr. Tom Perrett, MBE, Chairman of New Horizons Community Enterprise.
• Mr. Jamie Morris, Executive Director for Neighbourhood Services at Walsall Council.
• Councillor Barry Sanders, Portfolio holder, Leisure Services, Walsall Council.
• Mrs. Sanders.
• Inspector Mandy McPhee of Bloxwich Police Station.
• Mr. Paul Rowlands, Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Community Enterprise.

Bloxwich Carnival's 2009 Ambassadors and Chairman Ken Worley at The Bloxwich Tardis in July.

An online album of photographs of the Carnival Royalty and ceremonies, including the individual Carnival Ambassadors and guests, may be found on the Tallygraph's Centre Spread.


At the end of the ceremonies, it was announced by Ken Worley that after judging it had been decided that all five of the tableaux were of equal merit, and that prizes would be awarded to them all.  Roy Peace, Chair of the Bloxwich Board of Walsall Housing Group then presented the Carnival Committee with a generous cheque for £2000 in sponsorship of Bloxwich Carnival.


The party then broke up and together with Andy Bradley of New Horizons and Ann Marie Millard of Bloxwich Carnival Committee I moved off with the Royal Party to take their official portraits.  Unfortunately by the time I was able to photograph the tableaux, only two groups were still complete:  The Electric Palace young people's centre in Bloxwich (with a seaside themed display) and the Blakenall Young Persons Information Centre (presenting a Journey Through the Decades). More info on the other tableaux will follow - if anyone reading this has digital pictures of them, please get in touch!



I then proceeded to check out the rest of the many interesting stalls and displays, of which there were too many to mention them all individually here.  You will find an album of photos of these, again on the Centre Spread.  A few are highlighted in the pictures featured below.  Needless to say, despite the inevitably lower turnout of public compared to past carnivals, the stall-holders and many exhibitors were kept very busy for much of the day!



I had sadly missed the Fusion Dance Group performance which was due at 12.15pm as I was occupied photographing the Carnival ceremonies which had begun later than expected.  The Walsall Shotokan Karate team had pulled out of the event early in the day, presumably due to the weather, and I was otherwise occupied when The New Washboard Syncopators first performed (sensibly, in a small marquee rather than out in the open!) at 1pm.  But I was fortunate indeed to catch the 'tail-end' of the wonderful
South Staffs Dog Training and Display Team display which began at 1.30pm.  Both the dogs and their trainers/owners performed wonderfully, and it was great fun, especially for the kids who were involved in the final part of the display event.  I would have liked to see more but the weather was to intervene later.  See additional photos of the team in the Centre Spread.


Moving on, I was aiming to see the motorcycle stunt display by James Dylan's Stuntworld at 2pm, but things were running behind a little and just before 2pm I dropped into the Arts & Crafts Village marquee, where I found a number of people busy in fascinating crafty activities - everything from 'tatting' to weaving, to spinning and wood-carving.  It really was a most attractive and interesting display, and everyone was very friendly.  You'll see more photos in the Centre Spread.  This was good timing for me, however, since just as I was about to leave the marquee to photograph Stuntworld, the heavens opened and a wall of water the like of which I have never seen in my life hammered down across King George's and swept mercilessly across the arena, swamping the brave and beautiful Bloxwich Carnival Queen Sally Kirk (who was being given a 'lap of honour' ride on a stunt bike around the arena) in a downpour that was more like a bucket being emptied than rain.  Oh dear!


After about twenty minutes the 'rain' became light enough that I could venture out and get a few photos of the stunt display, which was even trickier due to the slippery conditions.  But rather than ruin the camera I made discretion the better part of valour after a while and began to make my way from tent to tent until, the rain having finally abated for a little while, I managed to catch up with The New Washboard Syncopators around 2.30pm.  There being no karate demonstration at this point, they managed to garner an interested audience, albeit rather depeleted due to the rain!  It was at this point that an old friend caught up with me again, a chap known as 'Beasty', a prominent and skilled local photographer who frequents the Walsall Flickr group (he had also turned up a while before, when I had been photographing the Royal Party).  After a while we both moved off to photograph the Pat Collins Fun Fair, which we managed to do despite the rain which was now hammering down again, albeit not so bad as at the 2pm 'Bloxwich Carnival Deluge', a flood that shall be spoken of in legend for generations to come!


While I was busy getting very wet and trying (unsuccessfully!) to keep my camera dry I managed to get some reasonable photos of the fair and the numerous hardy Bloxwich folk (mainly, but not exclusively, youngsters) who like me were determined to enjoy themselves no matter how wet they got!  I was quite pleased with the results, despite the odd blob of rain on the lens.  Some would say it adds atmosphere!  At this time I met up again with a dear old fairground dog who was minding one of the stalls, sensibly keeping out of the rain, and who had welcomed me earlier in the day when I was looking around the fair before it opened.  He is pictured below - and if anyone recognises him, please email me and let me know his name!  You'll find more fair photos in the Centre Spread as well as a few below.


Not long after, I was standing in the rain getting some pictures of Anthony Harris's 'Waltzer' ride and thinking that I hadn't been on one of those since the 70s, when someone came down the steps and shouted "Bloxidge Tallygraph?"  "Yes," I replied, bemused.  It turned out this was Rob Saxon, a fairground fan who often works with the Pat Collins crew and who runs a website dedicated to the company.  He invited me up into the Waltzer and while chatting to him I managed to get some quite decent shots while just about managing to avoid slipping on my behind!  Thanks, Rob!

After descending from the Waltzer I grabbed a sizzling hot dog from Anthony Harris's beautifully decorated Food Hall (who would have thought such a thing could be a work of art?) and while I was wolfing the dog down, I contemplated the falling rain and the brilliant lights and sounds of the fair.   In the distance I could dimly see some of the stallholders packing their displays away early.  I was covered in water and so was my camera; even my so-called waterproof rucksack was leaking.  My carnival programme had gone mouldy and my 'official photographer' badge now looked like a blood stain. 

Strangely enough I felt philosophical about it all.  Though I felt sympathy for those who had gotten a soaking, I was proud of all the organisers, 'royalty', guests, entertainers, exhibitors, Council workers and fairground folk who had done such a brilliant job in sometimes appalling conditions.  And I still thought it had been worth the adventuring out under soggy skies.  I'd had fun despite the mud and the rain.  I know a lot of other people did too - you can see that clearly in even the soggiest of my photographs.

Despite the unseasonal and apparently unpredictable weather, I think most of the visitors to the 2009 Bloxwich Carnival had a good (half) day out, despite the soggy ending.  It was a pity the rain had come on so heavy and so early, but that's life - Bloxwich folk are tough, we never give up, we never surrender and they took the same view back in 1959.  We could certainly take a leaf out of their book and should be proud if we did as well as they did fifty years ago.  I quote from the Walsall Observer of 12 June 1959: 


And the South Staffordshire Regiment Territorial Army band kept the music going for almost four hours, sitting in the open, despite the rain...  Some of us know how they must have felt!

All credit to everyone involved in the 2009 Bloxwich Carnival, commiserations to those who went home wet - and all my good wishes for a sunny carnival day next year!  "I'll be back" - so will the people of Bloxwich, and so will The Bloxidge Tallygraph.


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